Proceedings of the International Seminar on Designing the Future (ISDF 2026)
International Seminar on Designing the Future (ISDF 2026)
📍New Delhi, INDIA🗓️ 18-20 March 2026
Conference: International Seminar on Designing the Future (ISDF 2026)
Date: 18-20 March 2026
Location: New Delhi, India (Offline)
Website: https://spa.ac.in/sites/default/files/2026-03/SPA_ISDF_Brochure_R1.pdf The contemporary discourses in the field of architecture and planning have been focusing on envisioning new designs and technologies that would align with futuristic aspirations of upcoming generations. Yet, in parallel, the environmental concerns have deepened the worries of sustenance in the present. Solutions to such complex scenarios need interdisciplinary thinking and exploration of ideas at the intersection of architecture, planning, engineering and other allied fields. It was within this context that the “International Seminar for Designing the Future: Creativity, Inclusion and Technology in Youth Innovation” (ISDF 2026) was conceptualised to bring the youth associated with various fields to present their research and deliberate on this pertinent issue. In a rapidly transforming world driven by technology, innovation, and cultural exchange, it is essential that young minds actively participate in shaping equitable and future-ready societies. The conference was held from 18–20 March 2026 at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India in collaboration with The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The hybrid mode of this international research endeavour enabled a wider outreach and brought the young minds together to spearhead discussions and present their ideas for designing a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future. The five thematic tracks of Inclusive Design for Social Futures; Creative Cultures & Identity; Technology for Transformation; Youth Leadership & Social Entrepreneurship; and Creative Education & Future Learning Systems initiated the interdisciplinary exchanges converging to the central concept of the Seminar. The academic dialogues on environmental responsibility, paths to social inclusion, preserving cultural identity, role of digital transformation, and need of innovation ignited thoughts as well as examined possibilities of a future-ready built environment. The ISDF 2026 brought together youth innovators, researchers, practitioners, designers, technologists, and policymakers from India and abroad to collaboratively reimagine inclusive futures through creativity, culture, design, and technological advancement. The deliberations during the seminar also facilitated dialogues between youth and global experts for cross-cultural collaborations in creative and technology- led innovations. The seminar proved to be instrumental in strengthening global networks among universities, youth-led organisations, and innovation ecosystems. The International seminar highly encouraged the youth between 18 and 35 years of age, including early-stage entrepreneurs, designers, research scholars, and academicians to voice their perspectives in design. The boundaries between architecture, planning, textile, AI, robotics, and creative industries, blurred during the seminar and brought community leaders, activists, and youth organisations, including student delegates together for reimagining a future of design. The proceedings of the International Seminar on Designing the Future ISDF-2026 includes twelve papers related to emerging topics such as role of AI and big data in mobility planning, sustainable and low carbon materials, walkability, urban design and planning, universal design, placemaking, digital media in architecture, and well-being. The varied nature of papers focus on the complex relationship between environmental, technical, and societal issues. A strong multi-disciplinary approach has been adopted by the authors through their well-researched manuscripts to address the core themes of Creativity, Inclusion & Technology in Youth Innovation, in order to comprehend the future of the built environment. All submissions for ISDF 2026 were screened initially by Conference Editors for relevance to conference themes and adherence to guidelines. Shortlisted manuscripts were sent for double-blind peer-review, where two experts evaluated them independently, ensuring reviewers had no conflicts of interest. Evaluation of manuscripts focused on clarity, originality, methodology, expected results, and writing quality. The papers were revised based on the reviews and suggestions of the reviewers. We hope that this book of proceedings acts as a valuable reference material for scholars, academicians, researchers, and students in promoting ongoing multidisciplinary discussions on the evolving nature of architecture, planning, and the built environment. It is anticipated that this volume of proceedings will foster the ongoing discourse across disciplines and promote additional insightful research into the dynamic interconnections among design, technology, society, and the environment as envisioned by the youth of today.
Date: 18-20 March 2026
Location: New Delhi, India (Offline)
Website: https://spa.ac.in/sites/default/files/2026-03/SPA_ISDF_Brochure_R1.pdf The contemporary discourses in the field of architecture and planning have been focusing on envisioning new designs and technologies that would align with futuristic aspirations of upcoming generations. Yet, in parallel, the environmental concerns have deepened the worries of sustenance in the present. Solutions to such complex scenarios need interdisciplinary thinking and exploration of ideas at the intersection of architecture, planning, engineering and other allied fields. It was within this context that the “International Seminar for Designing the Future: Creativity, Inclusion and Technology in Youth Innovation” (ISDF 2026) was conceptualised to bring the youth associated with various fields to present their research and deliberate on this pertinent issue. In a rapidly transforming world driven by technology, innovation, and cultural exchange, it is essential that young minds actively participate in shaping equitable and future-ready societies. The conference was held from 18–20 March 2026 at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India in collaboration with The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The hybrid mode of this international research endeavour enabled a wider outreach and brought the young minds together to spearhead discussions and present their ideas for designing a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future. The five thematic tracks of Inclusive Design for Social Futures; Creative Cultures & Identity; Technology for Transformation; Youth Leadership & Social Entrepreneurship; and Creative Education & Future Learning Systems initiated the interdisciplinary exchanges converging to the central concept of the Seminar. The academic dialogues on environmental responsibility, paths to social inclusion, preserving cultural identity, role of digital transformation, and need of innovation ignited thoughts as well as examined possibilities of a future-ready built environment. The ISDF 2026 brought together youth innovators, researchers, practitioners, designers, technologists, and policymakers from India and abroad to collaboratively reimagine inclusive futures through creativity, culture, design, and technological advancement. The deliberations during the seminar also facilitated dialogues between youth and global experts for cross-cultural collaborations in creative and technology- led innovations. The seminar proved to be instrumental in strengthening global networks among universities, youth-led organisations, and innovation ecosystems. The International seminar highly encouraged the youth between 18 and 35 years of age, including early-stage entrepreneurs, designers, research scholars, and academicians to voice their perspectives in design. The boundaries between architecture, planning, textile, AI, robotics, and creative industries, blurred during the seminar and brought community leaders, activists, and youth organisations, including student delegates together for reimagining a future of design. The proceedings of the International Seminar on Designing the Future ISDF-2026 includes twelve papers related to emerging topics such as role of AI and big data in mobility planning, sustainable and low carbon materials, walkability, urban design and planning, universal design, placemaking, digital media in architecture, and well-being. The varied nature of papers focus on the complex relationship between environmental, technical, and societal issues. A strong multi-disciplinary approach has been adopted by the authors through their well-researched manuscripts to address the core themes of Creativity, Inclusion & Technology in Youth Innovation, in order to comprehend the future of the built environment. All submissions for ISDF 2026 were screened initially by Conference Editors for relevance to conference themes and adherence to guidelines. Shortlisted manuscripts were sent for double-blind peer-review, where two experts evaluated them independently, ensuring reviewers had no conflicts of interest. Evaluation of manuscripts focused on clarity, originality, methodology, expected results, and writing quality. The papers were revised based on the reviews and suggestions of the reviewers. We hope that this book of proceedings acts as a valuable reference material for scholars, academicians, researchers, and students in promoting ongoing multidisciplinary discussions on the evolving nature of architecture, planning, and the built environment. It is anticipated that this volume of proceedings will foster the ongoing discourse across disciplines and promote additional insightful research into the dynamic interconnections among design, technology, society, and the environment as envisioned by the youth of today.